Turkey considers strict restrictions against LGBTQI+s

Turkey's 11th "Judicial Package" considers strict restrictions against the LGBTQI+ community

The 11th "Judicial Package" project, which is expected to be submitted to the Turkish Grand National Assembly in the coming days, has caused public debate in Turkey. The draft law considers strict restrictions against the LGBTQI+ community and new criminal provisions. Kaos GL reported on this.

According to the project, Article 225 of the Turkish Criminal Code, entitled "Indecent Acts", will be amended and a prison sentence of one to three years will be imposed on "persons who promote or encourage behavior contrary to their biological gender at birth and general morality".

It also considers a prison sentence of one year and six months to four years in the event of organizing an "engagement or marriage ceremony" of same-sex persons. The new draft law will also apply to digital platforms that broadcast series and films reflecting the LGBTQI+ community.

The justification for the bill states that these changes aim to “raise healthy generations and protect the family institution”.

At the same time, the rules regarding “gender reassignment surgery” are also being tightened. The age of gender reassignment, which is 18 years in the current legislation, is being raised to 25 years. In order to be allowed to have the surgery, a person must not be married and must submit a four-stage official health board opinion from a fully equipped teaching and research hospital designated by the Ministry of Health.

The bill additionally proposes imprisonment of three to seven years and administrative fines of one thousand to ten thousand days for those who “perform gender reassignment surgery against the law”.

The general justification for the bill specifically emphasizes the aim of “protecting the family institution, preventing attacks against the general morals and values of society and combating desexualization trends”.

If the new bill is adopted, it is likely that serious restrictions will be imposed on the activities of the LGBTQI+ community, media content and individual rights in Turkey.

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